Q&A: How Sony simultaneously develops the same game for PS3 and Vita

It's not easy, especially given the differences between the two platforms.

Shuhei Yoshida is the president of Sony's worldwide PlayStation software development and oversees all Sony's game studios, from Japan to the US. He has worked at Sony for over 25 years and was a lead executive on the original PlayStation project. I travelled to Tokyo to meet him at his office to find out the processes and challenges of developing games that appear on the PlayStation 3 console and the portable PS Vita system.

What is the process for developing a game that is to be released on PlayStation 3 and PS Vita? Are they separate teams?

We do not have a set process. Some of the games we start as a PS3 title and add in a Vita [version] during development. Some other projects are started as Vita titles and a PS3 [version] is added later. For newer titles, we start both from the beginning. It's different for every title.

The performance is quite similar [for PS3 and Vita] unless you're making something like Uncharted or The Last Of Us, which take every bit of [hardware] performance available. The Vita's smaller screen size allows developers to economize on textures and the level of detail so that it can be played on the Vita. Plus sharing the core gaming engine makes it really easy for developers to enable cross-platform play.

What's the development time like for the average Vita game? How does it compare to developing for the PlayStation?

It's about the same time. Moving one title from PS3 to Vita, depending on the title, takes a couple of months. The additional cost and time involved in having two [versions] is not really that significant because of the similarity of the systems.

Are they different teams that work on each version of the same game?

The idea is that the same developer works on both [versions]. They have the perfect control. But when the developer of, say, the PS3 version does not have any more resources available to do the Vita version, we help find the team that are more specialized in making games for the Vita.

For PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, it's SuperBot Entertainment that's making the PS3 version and Bluepoint Games is doing the Vita version. Because it's a fighting game, and because control and responsiveness is crucial—especially when you want cross-platform play—[both teams] work very closely together.

What made you decide to start making games that worked across both the Vita and PS3?

A lot of the ideas came from the developers but we were not sure how people would react. In the past we had this unwritten rule that games had to be made for one platform, but now people are embracing the idea of having the same game across different devices.

So you believe gamers now expect a game they buy to be available on both PS3 and Vita?

Yes. More and more people expect and like that functionality. Going forward we should be more aggressive about looking at titles for which this makes sense, such as those with multiplayer functions or user-generated content functions like LittleBigPlanet.

Is 3D something you would be interested in doing with glasses on the Vita?

When it comes to the screen technology, the OLED screen is really brilliant at avoiding interference—we tried our [stereoscopic 3D] PS3 games on the Sony OLED TV in the past and it looked beautiful. So it's interesting. We haven't really tried it on the Vita, but never say never.

What Vita games are you most looking forward to releasing?

LittleBigPlanet. I started downloading what users were creating for it and it's already very interesting. There's something about the 2D action platformer works really well with portable. But also PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, especially the online play so I can play with other people over the internet. After that, Soul Sacrifice.

Any games from other developers you're looking forward to playing?

Borderlands 2. I haven't got my copy so I'm considering buying it from the US. I was a big fan of Borderlands, the first game, and what I've read is that everything about that game has improved so I'm super excited about it.

The subtitle says it's not easy, but the rest of the article goes on to explain how.... easy it is. A couple months of dev time to move between platforms if it's not co-developed from the start. The key point is sharing the same engine = makes it easier.

The subtitle says it's not easy, but the rest of the article goes on to explain how.... easy it is. A couple months of dev time to move between platforms if it's not co-developed from the start. The key point is sharing the same engine = makes it easier.

Am I somehow getting the article synopsis wrong?

No, I'd say you're right on the money... that subtitle is a bit contradictory to the rest of the article. Whoops!

The subtitle says it's not easy, but the rest of the article goes on to explain how.... easy it is. A couple months of dev time to move between platforms if it's not co-developed from the start. The key point is sharing the same engine = makes it easier.

One of my kids (8 years old) announced, excitedly, that Little Big Planet 2 was on the Vita. They already play it, and love it, on the PS3. So HE cares about it. But he's not going to get one. From me, at least.

I'm a firm believer the Vita needs to have *more* cross-compiled ports from the PS3, but I do agree they shouldn't be 100% of the software base.

Handhelds started off as being much weaker cousins to consoles, but as of the PSP and Vita they're about a single console generation behind in power. What I think will sell a lot of Vitas is packing the Vita port of a game in with the PS3 version-- even if they have to raise the price $10, I know a lot of people who'd like to be able to take their existing save and walk away with it. Of course, if they had to raise the price a bit, I'd rather see it as an option for PS3 owners who don't want the handheld.

There will always be room for handheld exclusives, but these newer handhelds should be _extensions_ of the console experience.

The biggest problem the Vita has right now is a pure lack of software. Sony themselves have said they're having trouble pulling developer interest away from the iOS platform. If you want to see more cell phone games, then don't buy a Vita and let things keep going as they are. However, if you'd like to see more non-casual games, you need to put your money where your mouth is before your interest is completely wiped off the map.

Awesome... Ok so here's the scenario... Your sitting and waiting at the Dr's office and you get the urge to play something you can't get anywhere else... Sooo you:

A. Break out your PS3 and the TV along with it?

B. Bust out your Xbox 360 only for it to RROD or have laser issues?

C. Bust out your Vita and join the guy right down the road that just picked up his copy of LBPVita and Challenged you to beat his score of Chopper Throw through Near?

D. Pull out your iPhone and check out how awesome your farm in Farmville is doing only to realize that you have to pay $2.99 to get that last remaining fuel so you can easily plant the next batch?

Yup... C is so easy to get somewhere else...

Except no one down the road owns a Vita because they aren't selling at all. They are just as likely to whip out a 3DS in your scenario to play something, or whip out their smartphone and play angry birds. Or surf the web, or look at twitter, or facebook.

Awesome... Ok so here's the scenario... Your sitting and waiting at the Dr's office and you get the urge to play something you can't get anywhere else... Sooo you:

A. Break out your PS3 and the TV along with it?

B. Bust out your Xbox 360 only for it to RROD or have laser issues?

C. Bust out your Vita and join the guy right down the road that just picked up his copy of LBPVita and Challenged you to beat his score of Chopper Throw through Near?

D. Pull out your iPhone and check out how awesome your farm in Farmville is doing only to realize that you have to pay $2.99 to get that last remaining fuel so you can easily plant the next batch?

Yup... C is so easy to get somewhere else...

Except no one down the road owns a Vita because they aren't selling at all. They are just as likely to whip out a 3DS in your scenario to play something, or whip out their smartphone and play angry birds. Or surf the web, or look at twitter, or facebook.

Splitting hairs. Replace C with "playing any of the numerous deep game types that only really work with real controls" if you want.

Although actually, I never use my PSP when I'm just killing time for 5 mins. I use it as an untethered console i.e. when I go on a trip, or am visiting family for the holidays, or when my wife's using the TV. To the degree that the Vita is more like a PS3, I'll be even happier. Screw "bite size gaming."

I'm a firm believer the Vita needs to have *more* cross-compiled ports from the PS3, but I do agree they shouldn't be 100% of the software base.

Handhelds started off as being much weaker cousins to consoles, but as of the PSP and Vita they're about a single console generation behind in power. What I think will sell a lot of Vitas is packing the Vita port of a game in with the PS3 version-- even if they have to raise the price $10, I know a lot of people who'd like to be able to take their existing save and walk away with it. Of course, if they had to raise the price a bit, I'd rather see it as an option for PS3 owners who don't want the handheld.

There will always be room for handheld exclusives, but these newer handhelds should be _extensions_ of the console experience.

The biggest problem the Vita has right now is a pure lack of software. Sony themselves have said they're having trouble pulling developer interest away from the iOS platform. If you want to see more cell phone games, then don't buy a Vita and let things keep going as they are. However, if you'd like to see more non-casual games, you need to put your money where your mouth is before your interest is completely wiped off the map.

That's why I intend on getting a Vita next month.

This. Many times this.

I really want the Vita to succeed. I feel it gets undervalued. It's an amazing piece of hardware. It has been said and it really is true: it's like having a pocket-sized PS3. That is simply amazing to me.

I enjoy it quite a bit, but I've already played out most of the games I got with it during launch, so I'm anxious for some new titles that are more than simple AR diversions or pinball. I want a long, heavily story-driven, deep game experience with it. I enjoyed Uncharted for just that reason. There needs to be more like that.

The market is there, but of course it won't do well until there are actually games that I want to buy! They need something that has that "Wow" factor like what Halo gave the original Xbox.

Except no one down the road owns a Vita because they aren't selling at all. They are just as likely to whip out a 3DS in your scenario to play something, or whip out their smartphone and play angry birds. Or surf the web, or look at twitter, or facebook.

They may not be selling great, but there are enough in the wild to have a good time. I live outside of Tulsa, OK, not exactly a huge city, and I have 20-30 people around me in "Near." We've been adding each other as friends, group messaging, and gaming together. My biggest complaint is just a lack of good games, though I haven't picked up LBP yet.

For the record, I also have a 3DS XL but I've never checked out its online features. The Vita is definitely what I grab when I'm going to wait on getting my car oil changed, take a trip, etc...

This is exactly the problem i see with the Vita. If i had a choice of playing the same game, I'm most likely going to get it on ps3. The lack of games that are vita specific is the biggest reason to not buy one. I feel like it's the PSP all over again.

I have had several DSes in it's evolution up to the 3DS XL. I personally think the DS library is one of the best out there. Why? Because it's got a wide variety of games made for it's unique play controls and dual screen. And a lot of exclusives.

"So you believe gamers now expect a game they buy to be available on both PS3 and Vita?"

I think Sony should concentrate on the garbled train wreck that is the PS3 PS Store. Sony should either allow ALL PS games to work on the PS3 (PS2 (digital/ disk), PS1 (digital/ disk), PSP, PSP Minis, PS2 (HD), Vita, PS3, plus regional encoding) OR simply don't allow content that can't be played on any particular system to be viewed on that system's relevant PS store.

I hate to jump into a handheld thread all negative and dumping on it's handheld, but I think Sony should simply give up on handhelds. They just cant seem to get it right.

Not only does no one I know own a Vita or are even considering one, the retail stores around here (Greater Vancouver) pretty much agree. The Sony PSP/Vita units and games both are shoved off into a corner and are about equal size to each other, aka 1 run of shelving. They are dwarfed by the DS/3DS section which is about 5 rows, and compared to the Wii/Xbox/PS3 at 10 rows each it is truely a clear statement.

Awesome... Ok so here's the scenario... Your sitting and waiting at the Dr's office and you get the urge to play something you can't get anywhere else... Sooo you:

A. Break out your PS3 and the TV along with it?

B. Bust out your Xbox 360 only for it to RROD or have laser issues?

C. Bust out your Vita and join the guy right down the road that just picked up his copy of LBPVita and Challenged you to beat his score of Chopper Throw through Near?

D. Pull out your iPhone and check out how awesome your farm in Farmville is doing only to realize that you have to pay $2.99 to get that last remaining fuel so you can easily plant the next batch?

Yup... C is so easy to get somewhere else...

D isn't so bad if I want to try and finish Touch Detective or it's sequel now they're both out.

But it was a completely personal situation. I don't play much handheld gaming "on the move", I'm much more of a music guy in that situation. However, Valkirya Chronicles 2 and new MGS were 2 big reasons why I felt I needed to get a PSP.

I'm sure the reasons I'll want a Vita will come. I just hope they come earlier than a PSP (and that the memory card is cracked by that point so I can get a cheap Chinese knock-off!)

This is exactly the problem i see with the Vita. If i had a choice of playing the same game, I'm most likely going to get it on ps3. The lack of games that are vita specific is the biggest reason to not buy one. I feel like it's the PSP all over again.

I have had several DSes in it's evolution up to the 3DS XL. I personally think the DS library is one of the best out there. Why? Because it's got a wide variety of games made for it's unique play controls and dual screen. And a lot of exclusives.

The point was raised a number of posts ago, but it's difficult to carry a PS3, TV and portable generator with you to play games on.

Also, I can't think of a single game that was actually ported to the PSP from the PS2. I'm sure there's one somewhere I'm not thinking of but this entire concept of having the same title on both home console and portable is really new to the Vita. A bunch of games went from PSP up to PS2 after while as Sony tried to shore up the tail end of the PS2s lifespan, but pretty much every game on the PSP that wasnt licensed was an exclusive.

Awesome... Ok so here's the scenario... Your sitting and waiting at the Dr's office and you get the urge to play something you can't get anywhere else... Sooo you:

A. Break out your PS3 and the TV along with it?

B. Bust out your Xbox 360 only for it to RROD or have laser issues?

C. Bust out your Vita and join the guy right down the road that just picked up his copy of LBPVita and Challenged you to beat his score of Chopper Throw through Near?

D. Pull out your iPhone and check out how awesome your farm in Farmville is doing only to realize that you have to pay $2.99 to get that last remaining fuel so you can easily plant the next batch?

Yup... C is so easy to get somewhere else...

This..... Makes me laugh. LOL. I will gladly pick Option D. but play one of the thousand none subscription based free game. And not bring another cumbersome gadget in my limited pants' packet to my Dr. Office.

Yup. a Phone is so important and you are less likely forget to bring somewhere else.

Granted, Vita has its place elsewhere but this example is hard to convince people.

The cross-play/cross-buy/cross-control functionality will only gain in importance as the PS4 launches. Whilst it is not exactly easy to make a PS3-game work on the Vita at the moment, the environment for developers working on next-gen is apparently (going to make it) much easier for them to include some Vita-companion-apps for PS4 titles. "Nobody cares about the Vita" maybe correct right now, but I'm hopeful this will change.

Playing MotorStormRC on both PS3/Vita has made me wish for just about any upcoming PS3-title to include some Vita-companion-app (The Last of Us, Metal Gear Rising Revengeance - I'm looking at you)

This is exactly the problem i see with the Vita. If i had a choice of playing the same game, I'm most likely going to get it on ps3. The lack of games that are vita specific is the biggest reason to not buy one. I feel like it's the PSP all over again.

I have had several DSes in it's evolution up to the 3DS XL. I personally think the DS library is one of the best out there. Why? Because it's got a wide variety of games made for it's unique play controls and dual screen. And a lot of exclusives.

The point was raised a number of posts ago, but it's difficult to carry a PS3, TV and portable generator with you to play games on.

Also, I can't think of a single game that was actually ported to the PSP from the PS2. I'm sure there's one somewhere I'm not thinking of but this entire concept of having the same title on both home console and portable is really new to the Vita. A bunch of games went from PSP up to PS2 after while as Sony tried to shore up the tail end of the PS2s lifespan, but pretty much every game on the PSP that wasnt licensed was an exclusive.

The point you are avoiding is that given the scenario, any game is going to be better on either the PS3 or the Vita and a majority of the people will gravitate to one side. Developers know this so why bother. Time=money and this extra development cost really only works in Sony's favor financially.

You don't need to look far to see what happens when developers port. PS3 owners feel it all the time. I shake my head everytime the frame rate drops for Darksiders 2, knowing full well that if this game was designed solely for the PS3, we wouldn't be having these issues, ...same for Skyrim.

The point you are avoiding is that given the scenario, any game is going to be better on either the PS3 or the Vita and a majority of the people will gravitate to one side. Developers know this so why bother. Time=money and this extra development cost really only works in Sony's favor financially.

I honestly don't understand the implication here. Are you saying games won't be as good because they're released on both? You don't really make sense - if the extra development cost works in Sony's favor financially, as you say, then isn't it obvious why they would bother? So that they can sell it to people who want to play in different locations than wherever their television set is and thereby make more money. Which also makes me happy because I get more games for the Vita.

Funny how he hasn't got his Borderlands 2 copy, and it's considering bypassing the regional restriction. Now he knows that the Internet has oceans.

I'm not sure if you're just jabbing at the different release schedules, but Borderlands 2 has a separate Japanese localization. Randy Pitchford was saying that the Japanese actually put a lot of effort into the voice acting and such, which probably isn't a surprise to anyone that might be used to anime or the like. From what he was saying, Handsome Jack sounds a bit like an angry samurai warlord... which makes me want to try the game in Japanese.

Funny how he hasn't got his Borderlands 2 copy, and it's considering bypassing the regional restriction. Now he knows that the Internet has oceans.

I'm not sure if you're just jabbing at the different release schedules, but Borderlands 2 has a separate Japanese localization. Randy Pitchford was saying that the Japanese actually put a lot of effort into the voice acting and such, which probably isn't a surprise to anyone that might be used to anime or the like. From what he was saying, Handsome Jack sounds a bit like an angry samurai warlord... which makes me want to try the game in Japanese.

That, and most PS3 disc games don't have regional restrictions in the first place.

I hate to jump into a handheld thread all negative and dumping on it's handheld, but I think Sony should simply give up on handhelds. They just cant seem to get it right.

Not only does no one I know own a Vita or are even considering one, the retail stores around here (Greater Vancouver) pretty much agree. The Sony PSP/Vita units and games both are shoved off into a corner and are about equal size to each other, aka 1 run of shelving. They are dwarfed by the DS/3DS section which is about 5 rows, and compared to the Wii/Xbox/PS3 at 10 rows each it is truely a clear statement.

No one cares about the Vita.

I love my Vita. It's by far the best portable gaming device I've had..Sony got it right. Joe Consumer is the ones who got it wrong.What you're suggesting is the same as suggesting Sony and MS to abandon PS3/360 this generation, because they were whooped in the start by Wii.. That would mean no Gears, or Uncharted, etc. No fun for us gamers.

Just keep the price high enough to make it profitable, so the people who want this kind of gaming will have that option. It's worth what's beeing asked, and more. :-/

I don't enjoy a game any more if it's ranked 5 spots higher on the charts.It don't matter what the store-shelves look like, everything for the Vita is available for download on the PSN-store. In addition to hundreds of PSP/PS1 games.

it really is true: it's like having a pocket-sized PS3. That is simply amazing to me.

I enjoy it quite a bit, but I've already played out most of the games I got with it during launch, so I'm anxious for some new titles that are more than simple AR diversions or pinball. I want a long, heavily story-driven, deep game experience with it. I enjoyed Uncharted for just that reason. There needs to be more like that.

The market is there, but of course it won't do well until there are actually games that I want to buy! They need something that has that "Wow" factor like what Halo gave the original Xbox.

I also want more PS3-quality action adventure games, rather than PSN-quality games.Uncharted: GA were fantastic. The next game in the genre for the vita, I'm looking forward to is Assasins Creed 3: Liberation.

Awesome... Ok so here's the scenario... Your sitting and waiting at the Dr's office and you get the urge to play something you can't get anywhere else... Sooo you:

A. Break out your PS3 and the TV along with it?

B. Bust out your Xbox 360 only for it to RROD or have laser issues?

C. Bust out your Vita and join the guy right down the road that just picked up his copy of LBPVita and Challenged you to beat his score of Chopper Throw through Near?

D. Pull out your iPhone and check out how awesome your farm in Farmville is doing only to realize that you have to pay $2.99 to get that last remaining fuel so you can easily plant the next batch?

Yup... C is so easy to get somewhere else...

Except no one down the road owns a Vita because they aren't selling at all. They are just as likely to whip out a 3DS in your scenario to play something, or whip out their smartphone and play angry birds. Or surf the web, or look at twitter, or facebook.

i could care less if its not selling because i know its alot better then nintendos 3ds. plus i dont even own a phone nemore and im 23 years of age but i own a vita and very much love it

I'm a firm believer the Vita needs to have *more* cross-compiled ports from the PS3, but I do agree they shouldn't be 100% of the software base.

Handhelds started off as being much weaker cousins to consoles, but as of the PSP and Vita they're about a single console generation behind in power. What I think will sell a lot of Vitas is packing the Vita port of a game in with the PS3 version-- even if they have to raise the price $10, I know a lot of people who'd like to be able to take their existing save and walk away with it. Of course, if they had to raise the price a bit, I'd rather see it as an option for PS3 owners who don't want the handheld.

There will always be room for handheld exclusives, but these newer handhelds should be _extensions_ of the console experience.

The biggest problem the Vita has right now is a pure lack of software. Sony themselves have said they're having trouble pulling developer interest away from the iOS platform. If you want to see more cell phone games, then don't buy a Vita and let things keep going as they are. However, if you'd like to see more non-casual games, you need to put your money where your mouth is before your interest is completely wiped off the map.

That's why I intend on getting a Vita next month.

This. Many times this.

I really want the Vita to succeed. I feel it gets undervalued. It's an amazing piece of hardware. It has been said and it really is true: it's like having a pocket-sized PS3. That is simply amazing to me.

I enjoy it quite a bit, but I've already played out most of the games I got with it during launch, so I'm anxious for some new titles that are more than simple AR diversions or pinball. I want a long, heavily story-driven, deep game experience with it. I enjoyed Uncharted for just that reason. There needs to be more like that.

The market is there, but of course it won't do well until there are actually games that I want to buy! They need something that has that "Wow" factor like what Halo gave the original Xbox.

"wow" factor lol only reason halo was that is because we didnt have all these fps now we have too many we could care-less. the vita is an awesome piece of tech and hardware that has more of a "wow" factor then a mere DS

Also, I can't think of a single game that was actually ported to the PSP from the PS2. I'm sure there's one somewhere I'm not thinking of but this entire concept of having the same title on both home console and portable is really new to the Vita. A bunch of games went from PSP up to PS2 after while as Sony tried to shore up the tail end of the PS2s lifespan, but pretty much every game on the PSP that wasnt licensed was an exclusive.

Disgaea, Disgaea 2, Burnout Legends was a cutdown port of Burnout 3, Final Fantasy 1 and 2 were ports off the PS1 revisions (though it's fine if you want to argue those two..), Final Fantasy Tactics, Initial D Street Stage, and Ys 6 (Truly Konami's worst porting job ever. This game should not have published in that state.) are all notable PS2->PSP ports.

There were a number of notable ones, enough so that people were arguing the same "We don't want ports!" vs "We want more console experiences!" that you're seeing today in regards to the Vita.

I believe the only reason the PSP failed so utterly is that the piracy level scared off a large chunk of the developers to where a lot of good games remained Japanese-only.

@Nate Lanxon you should of probably mention to shuhei yoshida that borderlands 2 creator would love to see a vita version of borderlands 2 which he's said they would love to port it but dont have the time but that b more then glad to help sony make a way.

yea thats the thing, it still doesn't justify its existence in a smart phone world. outside of the preteen market where they are less likely to even have an ipod touch or smart phone, this is redundant kit for addicts. i dont want a full gaming experience when i'm doin the poopie, let alone carry something that large all day just for that.

I'm a firm believer the Vita needs to have *more* cross-compiled ports from the PS3, but I do agree they shouldn't be 100% of the software base.

Handhelds started off as being much weaker cousins to consoles, but as of the PSP and Vita they're about a single console generation behind in power. What I think will sell a lot of Vitas is packing the Vita port of a game in with the PS3 version-- even if they have to raise the price $10, I know a lot of people who'd like to be able to take their existing save and walk away with it. Of course, if they had to raise the price a bit, I'd rather see it as an option for PS3 owners who don't want the handheld.

There will always be room for handheld exclusives, but these newer handhelds should be _extensions_ of the console experience.

The biggest problem the Vita has right now is a pure lack of software. Sony themselves have said they're having trouble pulling developer interest away from the iOS platform. If you want to see more cell phone games, then don't buy a Vita and let things keep going as they are. However, if you'd like to see more non-casual games, you need to put your money where your mouth is before your interest is completely wiped off the map.

That's why I intend on getting a Vita next month.

This. Many times this.

I really want the Vita to succeed. I feel it gets undervalued. It's an amazing piece of hardware. It has been said and it really is true: it's like having a pocket-sized PS3. That is simply amazing to me.

I enjoy it quite a bit, but I've already played out most of the games I got with it during launch, so I'm anxious for some new titles that are more than simple AR diversions or pinball. I want a long, heavily story-driven, deep game experience with it. I enjoyed Uncharted for just that reason. There needs to be more like that.

The market is there, but of course it won't do well until there are actually games that I want to buy! They need something that has that "Wow" factor like what Halo gave the original Xbox.

Its way overvalued, I don't want a ps3 in my pocket, I have one at home, with a 50" tv. Why would I want a heavy story driven deep game experience on the go, just how many hours idle are you outside of the house a day? If I need to game, I can do it at home, the right way, the best way. If I need to game on the go, I have a laptop, and a phone, I don't need another thing to take money, time and space. The phone justifies itself, from communications to web to gps, its way more amazing than a vita, its an entire computer with web in your pocket. Its the smart phone and cheap mobile computing that make the vita redundant.

Hand helds started off not as weak, but in a market where they had no competitors, when stepping outside of your home ment you were disconnected. Go back to the game boy days, people had a pager at best for the most part, cell phone adoption was still very rare, people were desperate for stuff like a gameboy. But now? wifi to cell carrier web, people are connected all the time, they have a computer in their pocket thanks to the smart phone, every kid has a cheap laptop with wifi now, and at the very least a cell phone. So its not about power anymore, it wouldn't matter if the vita matched the ps3 in both power and resolution, it still wouldn't justify its place in your pocket or bag. A smart phone is a swiss army device, tools and apps and games galore. The vita is a very expensive single task device. Its not like the bad old days when people were happy to have a walkman with 60 minute tape of music, now people carry around a phone filled with hd movies, song collection and the rest, and even more in the cloud. If you are bored, there is already always something to do already. The vita just doesn't make its case justifying its price.

Raising the price of everyones ps3 game to cater to a few vita owners, seriously bad idea. Again, if I have the ps3 game, why would I care if the vita version existed, I'm not that hard up for gaming, the ps3 version alone will do just fine.